The only presence felt was that of NYC royalty…
It was a lovely summer evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the grandeur of the venue matched the impressive lineup. Watching Mary J. Blige perform followed by 50 Cent is a rare treat, and London was prepared for these iconic New Yorkers to take the stage.
Thanks to the late sunset, daylight lingered during Mary J. Blige’s set, which somewhat diminished the visual impact. Nevertheless, with a six-member live band, three backing vocalists, and four dancers, Blige was well-accompanied on stage. Dressed in her typical thigh-high boots and a vibrant yellow two-piece, her star power was palpable even before she sung her first note.
With a crown visual displayed behind her for much of the performance, Blige truly embodied her queen status. Delivering hits like ‘Family Affair’ and ‘Share My World’, she primarily sang without a backing track—an uncommon choice these days—while also sharing video clips of past interviews, providing the audience insight into her journey, struggles, and current status.
Towards the conclusion of her set, Blige exited for a costume change, and upon returning in a blue rhinestone-studded outfit, she seemed to release a new burst of energy. She danced more vigorously in this ensemble and appeared to genuinely enjoy herself.
The visuals transitioned from the static crown to displaying her previous music videos alongside the corresponding tracks, creating a surreal experience as the classic Mary J. Blige appeared on the big screen while the living legend performed right before the audience. The standout moment was ‘No More Drama’, not only for its status as one of her major hits but also because the raw emotion and pain were still palpable years later in the vast stadium.
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After the queen of New York, it was time to introduce the king. Having witnessed 50 Cent on his previous tour in 2023, I knew that time had been generous to the rapper in terms of both his vocals and performance, so I had high expectations. 50 Cent did not let me down. As someone who has evolved beyond just a music artist into a shrewd businessman, actor, and producer, he certainly doesn’t do things halfway.
Before he steps on stage, there's a visually engaging ‘time lapse’ video showcasing his journey over the years, capturing how he transformed from a mixtape rapper to a global mogul. His entrance is impressive, emerging from a high platform that gradually descends as he raps ‘What Up Gangsta’, flanked by two hype men.
50 Cent runs through hit after hit, from ‘I Run NY’ to the iconic ‘P.I.M.P.’, hitting every mark seamlessly. After a few songs, eight female dancers join him on stage for most of the performance, with some male dancers joining in at intervals. The atmosphere exudes ‘hip-hop royalty’, complete with diamonds dripping from 50’s neck, wrist, and hand, visuals of wealth and cars, and even a few lap dances (which were somewhat awkward to observe). It’s what you’d expect from someone whose career began at the peak of this aesthetic.
The visuals and overall production matched the caliber of an artist like 50 Cent, feeling as luxurious as his sense of style. Each track features a completely new theme, cleverly incorporating New York scenes like subway stations without the use of 3D props. With around nine outfit changes (always featuring well-known designers like Dior or Louis Vuitton), 50 commands the stage effortlessly at every moment.
At one point, he plays the theme from his TV show, Power, and brings out the cast, which was a definite high point for fans. This moment followed his promotion of his entertainment empire, and throughout the performance, visuals highlighted the shows his company has produced. Frankly, not many artists could pull off such a display, so why not showcase it?
He also invites fellow New Yorker A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on stage to perform his two biggest hits, ‘Look Back At It’ and ‘Drowning’. However, he didn’t really engage in the performance as he let the backing tracks handle most of the heavy lifting, which, in contrast to the legends he shared the stage with, felt underwhelming.
The anticipation builds steadily for ‘In Da Club’, which delivers the electrifying energy one would expect, culminating in streamers cascading from above. It felt like the perfect conclusion, but it wasn’t. Although we all appreciate an encore, 50 Cent returned to perform about five more tracks from his earlier career. This segment felt slightly out of place. On one hand, longtime fans would surely appreciate this nod to his past, and given it’s the “Legacy” tour, it makes sense to include them.
On the other hand, this decision for the setlist led to a decline in crowd engagement during the final 20 minutes of what had been an exhilarating, uninterrupted performance. I would have opted for a medley
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The only thing dominating was the royalty of NYC… On a lovely summer evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the grandeur of the venue is fitting for the